Objective:

We will be involved in a project that is studying the relationship between ambient air pollution and cardio-respiratory events (apnea and bradycardia) in a population of primarily preterm and low birth weight infants monitored with home devices. 4,277 infants (aged under six months at the beginning of the study) within the Atlanta metropolitan statistical area were followed by the Apnea Center from August 1, 1998 to December 31, 2002. Patents were prescribed a home monitor for prematurity, gastroesophageal reflux disease, previous apnea events, apparent life threatening events or have a sibling who suffered from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Cardio-respiratory event data was collected by the Apnea Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston. Demographic data, including gender, gestational age, low birth weight, and residential zip code and a unique patient identification number, were also collected.

We will be examining the association between the apnea and bradycardia and source apportioned fine particulate matter from utilization of positive matrix factorization (PMF) and chemical mass balance (CMB) methods. To accomplish this, a number of statistical methods will be utilized. These sources include mobile sources (both gasoline and diesel), biomass burning or wood-smoke, soil, sulfate rich secondary aerosols, and nitrate-risk secondary aerosols.

Expected Results:

It is our expectation through these methods to observe a relationship between sources of air pollutants and the occurrences of adverse cardio-respiratory events which will add to a body of knowledge to further drive policy and regulation.

Supplemental Keywords:

Progress and Final Reports:

The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.